Author Topic: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi  (Read 1278 times)

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Offline fernie

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Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« on: January 10, 2008, 04:38:46 PM »
I had such a hard day...

...a friend bought a .45-70 and had it shipped to me arriving yesterday.  I tore it apart today and honed and polished it.  Greased and re-assembled the receiver.  Dropped the trigger weight from 4.5# to just under 4#.  Cleaned and lapped the barrel.  Reassembled everything and set up.  Shot 7 sets of 3 shots at 50 yards, cleaning between each set.  It was my reloads...but he's paying for it.  Barrel strung vertically at first, but centered more and more with each set.  It finally punched out a quarter-sized hole.  Gave it a final cleaning and now I'm ready to begin to work up several loads for hunting.

THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN BREAKING IN A HANDI...IS BREAKING IN A FRIEND'S HANDI!!!

...I tell ya, it was really rough, but someone has to do it. :'(

Doc


p.s. 15 grains of Unique under 300 gr. Hornady HP's clocked at 1290 fps average

Offline McLernon

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2008, 05:17:06 PM »
Good stuff Fernie!!!

Mc

Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2008, 04:55:25 AM »
Cool, last season I took the biggest buck I've ever seen with my H&R Shakari with 16 grains of Unique under the Remington 300 JHP. I could not ask for better performance, the deer stumbled and slid down hill maybe 15 paces and was DOA when I got to him. A nice exit just cutting the edge of the off shoulder with no meat loss at all. I've been tempted to try heavier loads, that load only does about 1350 fps, but actually I think with iron sights, that load is all I need.
The story of David & Goliath only demonstrates the superiority of ballistic projectiles over hand weapons, poor old Goliath never had a chance.

Offline fernie

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2008, 06:08:09 AM »

coyotejoe,

GREAT!  That's REALLY good to know.  Over Christmas my kids (grown) and I spent a day lobbing this round out to a couple of hundred yards at cordwood with great fun and accuracy.  Everyone who shot it could easily manage the lack of recoil.  And I'd been wondering about how it would do on deer?  I had an inkling it might be a keeper.  My friend wants 100 rounds loaded once I get the grains of powder decided upon for his gun.  One or the other of us will have to try it next deer season.  How far was your shot?

Doc


Offline fish280

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2008, 06:55:13 AM »
yeah, bummer of a day ...  :-[
 ;D
His,
><>

Offline Duckdog

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2008, 11:54:23 AM »
Are you guys using any filler over the Unique?  I use 5744 in mine, but I have been thinking of giving the Unique a try.

Offline fernie

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2008, 06:42:13 PM »

Duckdog,

No filler in mine.

Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2008, 06:43:55 AM »
I'm not sure of the distance but it was an offhand shot and the front sight settled nicely on the kill zone so probably not much over 50 yards, I'm way too shaky to try an offhand shot much farther. And yes I do use a tuft of cotton atop the unique. I can't say it is really necessary with Unique but with 4227 it makes a world of difference, I've experienced noticeable hangfires using 4227 without the filler.
The story of David & Goliath only demonstrates the superiority of ballistic projectiles over hand weapons, poor old Goliath never had a chance.

Offline dpastordan

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2008, 10:38:07 AM »
O the sacrifices we often must make for our friends!

Offline Cottonwood

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2008, 01:31:35 AM »
Are you guys using any filler over the Unique?  I use 5744 in mine, but I have been thinking of giving the Unique a try.

I used to use Unique a long time ago and then switched to what I use now, which is 5744.

5744 is the powder of choice because it is not position sensitive as Unique is.

JMHO

Offline henry1

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2008, 04:56:29 PM »
I finaly got my deer with mine on sat. It was a steep down hill shot and the first round trimed hairs on here back centerd perfectly for the kill zone. I should have been thinking about the dwnhill angle after missing the first time. luckly she turned and looked right at me. I centerd on her chest and she droped like a sack of potatoes. The shot still shot high due to the angle and me forgeting about it. It struck her high in the neck and didnt do a lot of dmg. I would have to check but im just over the min with 3031 and a 300 gr Lasercast bullit. I was using my BC in .45/70, dad had his 7mm Mag and a buddy had his 300 Win mg. the win never went off, dad got a shot off but didnt land it. she was bout 65 yds wen i hit her. Mine was for sure a luck shot but non the less, I have filled all my tags this year successfuly, and its dinner on the table, dads not complaining, he still has two weeks to kill his and i gave him mine, and if i run out i can always pick some up from him. I wish I could have goten some pics for you all but none of us had a camra on us, it was kinda spur of the moment since the deer have been moveing spiradicly lately. Anyways, just my .03$ ;D Overall I love using the .45/70 on and for anything imho it is a verry versital round that can be loaded for darn near anything, as allways, its not what tool you use, its how you use it that determines the users and the significant others satisfaction, good shot placement is allways the key. LOL Ok, I had better stop before i go anyfarther.  ;)
Hank
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ther's many a slip twix the cup and the lip
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Offline fernie

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Re: Rough day breaking in 45-70 Handi
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2008, 05:33:11 AM »

H1,

Way to go!  [Yes, we need a pic!]  I haven't tried 3031 in 45-70.  Tried it with a model 94 30-30 decades ago and it would not shoot - in the end it was the gun.  So Sat. I picked up a pound of it to work up a load for this friend's gun.  He doesn't reload [yet] and if he starts I figure it'll be an easy and available load for him to fiddle with...along with the Unique.  I'm waiting for a bedding pillar for his gun before I go through the bother of messing with loads.  I'll be putting it behind 350 gr. Hornady's.  Hope   your dad and buddy score.


TM,

I try to keep my powders to a minimum, so since I use Unique for a shotshell load [and in a duplex] I have it around - perhaps down the road I'll get an itch.  The Unique shoots 1" with my Handi at 100 yards - 15 gr....good enough for what I use it for.


CJ,

Never used 4227 - but I do duplex my loads in 4831 :o [I know, bad boy, and I'm not promoting it].  But it's a keeper...what can I say?


Doc